Employers may often be unfamiliar with international student employment options like Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). They might assume that hiring an international student requires them to immediately initiate work visa sponsorship, which is not the case. International students are eligible and allowed to obtain work authorization. International students who plan to conduct internship or seek a job are encouraged to bring a letter from the Kentucky State University's Office of International Student Experiences to give to potential employers at an interview or in other communications.
The purpose of this document is to illustrate options available for employers to hire international students for internships and full-time career opportunities during their studies and/or after graduation. Most international students are either on non-immigrant F-1 student status or non-immigrant J-1 student status. Currently, KSU only have F-1 international students.
“An F-1 visa is granted to a person coming to the United States to attend college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school or other academic institution or language training program approved by the U.S. Attorney General for study by foreign students. The visa holder plans to return home after completing studies. This is the most common non-immigrant visa for an international student attending undergraduate and graduate school.
Students are granted F-1 status until the completion of the academic program and 12 months of post-program practical training. The purpose of the F-1 visa is to provide an opportunity for study in the United States. Anything outside of study, including employment, is an exception to the visa. Authorization for employment is strictly limited to certain situations. The student holding F-1 status for a full academic year and in good academic standing may work off campus. Such work authorization is granted when the student has sustained unforeseen economic hardship. Also, the student may not work for more than 20 hours per week when school is in session, but may work full time during holidays and vacations, including breaks between terms, provided the student intends to register for the next school term. International students who plan to work off-campus must have their CPT or OPT approved.
Curricular Practical Training is designed to fulfill the internship requirement of a course of study. “Curricular Practical Training (CPT): An F-1 student may perform curricular practical training